Palmeiras swipe at Flamengo after players criticise Maracanã pitch; see | OneFootball

OneFootball's home page

Palmeiras swipe at Flamengo after players criticise Maracanã pitch; see | OneFootball

In partnership with

Yahoo sports
Icon: Nosso Palestra

Nosso Palestra

·18 September 2026

Palmeiras swipe at Flamengo after players criticise Maracanã pitch; see

Article image:Palmeiras swipe at Flamengo after players criticise Maracanã pitch; see

Palmeiras and Flamengo are, today, the biggest rivalry in Brazilian football. The matchups, which are highlighted in the Brazilian Championship standings, with just one point separating the two teams, also take on new dimensions with each new narrative pushed by both clubs.

Flamengo players criticize the Maracanã pitch

After qualifying for the Libertadores semifinal this Thursday (17), Flamengo players reiterated their criticism of the Maracanã pitch. The most outspoken was Léo Ortiz.

OneFootball Videos

The pitch had nothing to do with the result of the game, it’s not an excuse. We were worse than them in every aspect of the game — mental, physical, technical, and tactical. But the pitch really is unplayable, it’s very bad. We know we’re heading into an international break, but the pitch won’t get a rest, there will be NFL games. What will become of the pitch for the rest of the year? I hope whoever can do something, does. Because it’s really very difficult to play on it, especially for a team like us that likes to play with the ball. Today it helped us, but it could also have hurt us. We couldn’t play.

Afterward, the Rubro-Negro defender said that sometimes the people who defend synthetic turf are right.

That’s why, at certain times, people talk about synthetic turf. Sometimes, you have to admit they’re right. With pitches like this, it really encourages the use of synthetic turf. The biggest reason for synthetic pitches in Brazil is natural grass in this condition.

Palmeiras takes a jab at Flamengo on social media

This Friday (18), Palmeiras did not miss the opportunity and posted a humorous video on its social media, while also taking a swipe at Flamengo, which has already spoken out strongly against the use of synthetic turf in Brazilian football.

Title race in the Brasileirão and a possibility in the Libertadores

The clubs lead the Brazilian Championship and enter the decisive stage of the season also fighting for the Libertadores. With both qualified for the semifinal, we could once again have a continental final involving the two clubs.

In 2021, with a goal by Deyverson, Verdão were crowned champions of South America. In 2025, Flamengo beat Palmeiras with a goal by Danilo in Lima.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

View publisher imprint

MORE STORIES

See More Stories
Watch on OneFootball